History

Details

Church. 1962-63. Architect Sam Scorer of Denis Clarke Hall,
Scorer and Bright. Walls rendered to lower parts, glazed to
upper parts (including a wall of stained glass), beneath a
concrete hyperbolic paraboloid roof, covered externally in
aluminium sheets.
PLAN: hexagonal plan, designed on the principle that the whole
congregation should be gathered round the sanctuary and altar
area and have a clear view of everything that is done there.
EXTERIOR: the exterior is dominated by the saddle-like shape
of the hyperbolic paraboloid roof, which rises to east and
west and sweeps down to ground level points to north and south
(at each point there being a small pool). Western entrance via
porch with projecting canopy with segmental underside to front
plane.
INTERIOR: internally the roof is varnished boarding. The altar
is placed in a circular sanctuary area to the eastern side of
the hexagon, and is raised on 4 steps. The fixed pews of
light-coloured varnished wood are curved to describe a
part-circular formation on a floor which slopes gently
downwards towards the sanctuary. The font is placed in the
central aisle, in front of the altar. Font, altar and pulpit
are 'chunky' in form and are designed by the architect in
concrete. The sanctuary is surrounded by a painted metal rail
with a shelf, and the sanctuary and raised strip behind are
also partly enclosed by a simple painted metal rail; the
latter railings, to left and right of the sanctuary, have
affixed to them a pair of large metal candlesticks of abstract
design, by the sculptor Charles Edward Sansbury, who also
designed the 2 smaller candlesticks of twisted and welded
metal and matching Processional Cross. The upper part of the
east wall is fully glazed and comprises an abstract
stained-glass window by the artist Keith New.
The building is a major contribution to church architecture of
this period, combining innovative architectural thinking with
advanced liturgical planning, and a complete set of original
fittings, including artist-designed stained glass and
metalwork of high quality.

Listing NGR: SK9808973285

Selected Sources

Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details

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